Orbán cabinet fired way too many military officers: no one left to use high-tech weapons

We reported earlier on the Hungarian government’s decision to sack many high-ranking military officers in January. The downsizing continued with middle- and low-ranking officers. The minister said the measure aimed to create a modern military with people able to use the new, high-tech weapon systems. The opposition claimed the only goal was to send away pro-NATO people from the defence forces. It appears neither side was right.

Ágnes Vadai, an MP of Hungary’s strongest opposition party, former PM Gyurcsány’s DK and a former defence secretary, said the only reason for sending high-ranking military officers to an early retirement was to shake off experienced and pro-NATO military leaders. She was proved to be wrong. Experts highlighted that the last Soviet troops left more than 30 years ago, so the new generation is more pro-NATO than any prior generation. Furthermore, they only know how to use weapons as well as communication and other systems of the Western alliance.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungary’s defence minister, said the reason for sacking so many soldiers and officers was to make room for the new generation who can use high-tech military devices and systems.

The print version of hvg.hu wrote that the Hungarian military was at its historic low in 2007 with only 24 thousand soldiers. In 2022, that number rose to 30 thousand, but Szalay-Bobrovniczky’s dismissals shattered that structure and the personnel. Since the defence forces now struggle with a lack of human capacities, they try to lure back some fired officers. Some agree, but their enthusiasm is no longer what it once was.

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According to the plans, the military should reach 37,650 by 2026, which experts believe is impossible. And Szalay-Bobrovniczky’s activity in the field worsens the situation, hvg.hu’s sources said.

Péter Tarjányi, a Hungarian defence policy expert, was not surprised. He told Spirit FM that if there is not enough trained personnel, high-tech weapons and systems are futile. Furthermore, experience is crucial in the military. That is why the Hungarian defence forces needed to call back some officers who were previously compelled to retire.

Mr. Tarjányi also said that Budapest needs a military bridge near Csepel, Budapest’s 21st district. That is because the world has changed, and we need, for example, railroads that allow the defence forces to move from one part of the country to the other, even during the event of a war.